hughesgold

I didn't like the new, added dialogue (Gwendolyn getting a tatoo, Lady Bracknell having been a musical hall dancer). However, the film is well-paced, has some very funny scenes (Algy and Jack's musical number, for example) and is well-acted. Frances O'Connor (Gwendolyn) and Rupert Everett (Algy) are wonderful, and Reese Witherspoon (Cecily) pulls off a passable English accent. Anna Massey and Edward Fox are superb as supporting characters Miss Prism and Lane the butler.

The basic premise of the movie is the same as the book (an American girl finds out she's a European princess) on which it is based, but almost all of the details (including the setting) have been changed. Juli Andrews (Queen Clarice) gives a commanding performances and really moves the film along. Anne Hathaway does a good job as her grand daughter Mia. But, Hector Elizondo's character (Joe) doesn't really seem necessary. Nothing particularly memorable or ground-breaking here, but a nice family film (with a lovely opening theme song) all the same.